The Liberace Show From 1955


This movie is part of the collection: Classic TV

Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: The Liberace Show; Classic TV

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: ERD. - - January 31, 2009
Subject: A more subdued Liberache
Back in 1955, Liberache was far more subdued.The show was entertaining and lots of fun to watch again.(I noticed Liberache always added flourishes to even the great classic piano pieces) He was an excellent showman. I wish the film would have been in better condition.

Reviewer: NoRealHat - - August 13, 2008
Subject: What a joy to see this again
When I was three years old, I would refuse to budge from my spot if this show was on. I lived for it. They could have all the kids shows as far as I was concerned, because this show was (and is) magic to me.

Thanks so much for this posting.

Reviewer: Seto-Kaiba_Is_Stupid - - August 8, 2008
Subject: Nice!
Hi, I'm Yugi Moto, and I enjoyed watching this fabulous TV broadcast. Although nobody is slaughted, I found this to be high quality TV, highly recommended.

Reviewer: Robin_1990 - - May 27, 2008
Subject: Very Good!
I'm glad somebody has uploaded this, Since it's very good! The host comes across as a very nice person. The music is excellent and very catchy. It's a charming example of early TV.

Reviewer: Tenor madman - - May 7, 2008
Subject: Don't miss!
Say what you will about Liberace, the man could play!! Here he is at the top of his game. His hands sometimes seem to devour the keyboard! One thing that's interesting to note here is that this program was created well before he became really extravagant in terms of costumes, pianos and other bling, yet the personality and showmanship come shining through. In other words, he didn't need all that glitter to make the music happen. In fact, this program proves, glitter or not, Liberace could really put it down!

Here the pianist takes you through the history of the classical keyboard, starting with a clavinova, then a harpsichord, finally progressing through to a modern piano. He also plays a piece of music (really well) from each style period.

It's really a lecture, or if this was released today it would probably be called a documentary. It's far too sophisticated and highbrow to be on TV today and yet it actually aired in 1955. It's not hard to understand that he inspired a host of youngsters to take up the instrument, not the least of which would be folks like Elton John.

It's also interesting to note how Liberace "works the camera", so to speak. By doing things like winking and smiling to the camera while playing, he trys to bring the TV audience into the room where he's playing. Some think it's schmaltzy, but it shows that he's thinking of how he can communicate non-verbally with his audience on another level while playing.

Clever, isn't it?

TM